Dyersburg State Honors 77th and 78th Nursing Classes with Pinning Ceremony
Dyersburg State Community College (DSCC) honored its 77th and 78th nursing classes with a ceremony for 35 graduates in the traditional nursing program and 14 graduates in the Paramedic to RN program on Dec. 10. A total of 2,078 nursing students have graduated from DSCC over the past 40 years.
Trenna Richardson introduced the class officers for the traditional and Paramedic to RN programs. The traditional nursing program officers include Robert Price of Bartlett, president; Emilee Lewis of Ripley, vice president; Angie Coulston of Covington, historian; and Katie Call of Covington, historian. Class officers for the Paramedic to RN program included Chad Hollingsworth of Fairview, president; Lea Strunewitz of Memphis, vice president; Jeremy Sheperd of Clarksville, secretary; and Zach Nichols of Collierville, historian.
Kisha Gray opened the ceremony with the invocation. Amy Johnson, dean of nursing, welcomed the graduates and encouraged them to maintain their positive spirit and love for mankind. DSCC President Karen Bowyer acknowledged the graduates and congratulated them on their resilience, adaptability, and willingness to carry forward during difficult times. The ceremony proceeded with a special message from Robert Price, traditional class president, and Chad Hollingsworth, Paramedic to RN class president.
Dr. Jan Reid-Bunch, vice president for the college, presented the Friend of Nursing Awards to DSCC staff members on behalf of each nursing class. The traditional nursing class chose Carl Hicks of Dyersburg, custodian, and the Paramedic to RN class chose Tanzy Henson of Henning, administrative clerk II.
The Scholastic Awards, presented by Kim Chrestman to students with the highest grade-point average (GPA) in each class, was awarded to traditional nursing class graduate Robert Price, graduating with a 3.75 GPA and Ashton Quarles of Brighton, graduating with a 3.72 GPA; and to Paramedic to RN nursing class graduate Alex Bonick of Clarksville, graduating with a 3.29 GPA, and Lea Strunewitz, graduating with a 3.25 GPA.
The Clinical Practice Award, selected by members of the nursing faculty, was presented by W.C. Robinson to traditional nursing class graduate Jaelyn Holliman of Bartlett; and Paramedic to RN nursing class graduate Jeremy Sheperd. This award is given to nursing graduates who demonstrate qualities such as the practice of nursing as a humanistic art and science, the recognition of each person as a unique individual, and acceptance of legal and ethical professional accountability.
Lisa Hayden presented the Peggy Pendergrast Faculty Awards to the Paramedic to RN nursing class graduate Chad Hollingsworth. This special award, given in honor of the late Peggy Pendergrast, founding director of the DSCC nursing program, is presented to students demonstrating essential qualities for effective nursing practice.
The Friendship Award, chosen by fellow class members, was presented by Brittany Gatlin to traditional nursing class graduate Tonya Middlebrooks of Brighton and Paramedic to RN nursing class graduate Lea Strunewitz.
President Karen Bowyer was presented the Forever Friend of Nursing Award from the nursing faculty for her years of hard work and dedication to DSCC. Dr. Bowyer will retire with 37 years of service at DSCC on Jan. 4, 2022.
The 35 graduates of DSCC’s fall 2020 traditional nursing class include:
Atoka – Jessie Huggins, Krysten Longo, Molly McCourt, Sara Scott
Bartlett – Robert Price, Jaelyn Holliman, Rebecca Ronner
Brighton – Erin Delaney, Jennifer Khan, Tonya Middlebrooks, Ashton Quarles, Lyndsie Ralyea
Brownsville – Kisha Gray
Covington – Katie Call, Angie Coulston, Stacy Nolan, Joshua Strickland
Drummonds – Laken Jackson
Dyersburg – Madison Hill, Laura Morrison
Eads – Kasie Johnson
Finley – Matthew Weaver
Halls – Bethanie Buckner
Jackson – Bryan Bond
Mason – Jamie Adams-Taylor, Jasmine Hall
Memphis – Rodney Harrington
Millington – Christine Kelley, Heather Wallace
Munford – Megan Allmond, Brittany Hamil, Gabby Henley
Ripley – Emilee Lewis
Somerville – Feleica Peeler
Union City – Madelyn Odell
The 14 graduates of DSCC’s fall 2020 Paramedic to RN nursing class include:
Alamo – Tim Lowery
Clarksville – Alexander Bonick, Jeremy Shepherd
Collierville – Zachary Nichols
Cordova – Ralph Moore
Fairview – Chad Hollingsworth
Hickory Valley – Natalie Sparks
Indian Mound – Eric Schmidt
Memphis – Brandon Hodge, Lea Strunewitz
Nashville – Landon Crutcher
Newbern – Caleb Wilbanks
Savannah – Larry McCasland
Wildersville – David Plumlee